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Agricultural Colleges Sporting Gala report
Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT)
May 31, 2009

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Executive Summary

Students and Youth working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) carried on with its annual commitment of participating during the Agricultural Gala. SAYWHAT whose mandate is to enhance participation of youth and students in programs of their sexual and reproductive Health and Rights identifies opportunities like the Agricultural Gala to disseminate information and ensure knowledge sharing as well as establish a bases for advocacy by identifying students reproductive concerns. In conjunction with other stakeholders SAYWHAT partners the Ministry of Agriculture for this annual event.

Rio Tinto College of Agriculture hosted the 2009 gala where more than 1000 students participated. SAYWHAT packaged a comprehensive program that ranged from Voluntary Counselling and Testing, Information provision, Drama and Quiz Competitions, Sanitary Wear campaign to Condom sale and Advocacy. The National Coordinating Committee and the Local Coordinating Committee of the hosting college with technical and financial support from the secretariat planed all the activities that were carried during the one week long sporting gala.

SAYWHAT and Batsirai Support group from Kwekwe ensured that Voluntary Testing and Counselling services were accessible to students and the immediate community. A total of 196 were tested and among them 116 were females and 80 males. This provision was initiated to carter for the service which in most cases lacks in some agricultural colleges.

SAYWHAT also takes VCT as an entry point to positive living and the broader managemen of HIV as well as the central pillar for the "Kicking Stigma out of Agriculture Colleges" Campaign.

Trained Peer Educators from the Local Coordinating Committee managed the Information Booth of SAYWHAT. The Booth provided Information, Education and Communication materials including T-Shirts on the broad aspects of SRHR. The booth also hosted small group discussions and condom demonstrations.

Under the Sanitary Wear campaign in partnership with Clovit a sanitary wear manufacturer provided sanitary pads for female students at a subsidized price. The price was friendly to students and it increased the uptake of this essential service that most female students complain of not being affordable.

SAYWHAT took the competition to quiz and drama on issues of Gender, Male Circumcision, HIV treatment, care and support and reproductive health and rights. These activities were essential in exploring reproductive health issues in a creative manner that attracted and retained interest from the students. There were edutainment evenings that used tools such as film aided learning to inspire discussions. To enhance interest on its activities with students SAYWHAT continues to sponsor various trophies for competitions.

The Sporting Gala Remains an Important platform to provide services and engage students on SRHR and concerns from such events shall continue to inspire the focus of the institution.

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